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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Bubulcus ibis
Cattle egret. Greek: γελαδάρης. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, April 2001.
Very rare passage migrant. Length 46-56 cm, wingspan 88-96 cm. Sexes similar. Areas with shallow fresh water, meadows, farmland. Gregarious behaviour. Opportunistic feeder, accompanies cattle, horses, sheep to prey on large insects, lizards, frogs, mice disturbed by movements of livestock. Occasionally feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, small birds. Visits garbage dumps. Strutting walk. Flies with retracted neck and relatively fast wing beats.
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